Tharoor criticises Congress’ Jaipur candidate for alleged right-wing links
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New Delhi: Congress MP Shashi Tharoor, who is seeking re-election from Thiruvanathapuram constituency, has come down on Congress candidate for Rajasthan’s Jaipur constituency, Sunil Sharma, Scroll.in reported.
The Congress announced Sharma’s candidature in a list issued on Thursday, following which Tharoor criticised Sharma’s alleged link to the right-wing platform The Jaipur Dialogues.
‘He must have undergone some sort of Pauline epiphany on the road to 24 Akbar,’ Tharoor said in a social media post the other day.
Sharing a post from what is known as The Jaipur Dialogues, which allegedly mocked him and Rahul Gandhi, Tharoor made his stand clear.
Launched in 2016 by Sanjay Dixit, who is a retired Indian Administrative Service officer, the Jaipur Dialogues claims to be a platform for the “right thinking people”, according to Scroll.
Its YouTube channel has posted videos mocking the Opposition, the report said.
Sharma, nevertheless having a long association with the Congress, was featured in some of the videos posted on the channel and was on a panel debate hosted by The Jaipur Dialogues on “Digital Divide in India – AI and Civilisation”
Sharma has reportedly distanced himself from the platform, saying ‘I have long ago severed ties with the directorship of Jaipur Dialogue Forum (which has nothing to do with the ownership of the YouTube channel) about which some people, due to their vested interests, are spreading rumours.’
‘I have never had anything to do with the management of the Jaipur Dialogue YouTube channel,’ he was quoted as saying, adding ‘I am often invited on all news channels and YouTube channels as a panellist on building an inclusive India as per the Congress philosophy.’
Citing sources, however, the Indian Express reported that Sharma is listed as one of the directors of The Jaipur Dialogues.